Project Details

The mechanism of sex determination in lake sturgeon is unknown, but is almost certainly genetic. If so, then it should be possible to develop a DNA test to sex fin clips, blood, or other tissue samples collected from live individuals. Purdue University's Dept. of Forestry and Nat. Resources developed an inexpensive and accurate genetic test that can sex lake sturgeon from nearly any tissue sample. This research will greatly enhance efforts to describe lake sturgeon distribution, abundance, and genetic variability.